Young people are known to have a relatively low risk of metabolic diseases. However, a new study recently found an increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver in young women with irregular or long menstrual cycles.
Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital Professor Kang Jae-heon and Cho In-young and Data Management Center Professor Ryu Seung-ho and Jang Yu-su’s research team investigated whether changes in the menstrual cycle were related to the risk of developing nonalcoholic fatty liver. It has been confirmed that the risk of disease is increased, and a related paper has been published in the latest issue of ‘Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism’, the official academic journal of the American Endocrinology Association, announced on the 8th.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a disease caused by abnormally excessive fat deposition in the liver, and is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. However, as there is no drug approved for treatment yet, lifestyle changes such as weight loss are prioritized as the primary treatment.
The research team analyzed 72,000 women between the ages of 20 and 40 among the general medical examinees of Kangbuk Samsung Hospital between 2011 and 2017. Menstrual cycle was investigated through questionnaire, and nonalcoholic fatty liver was judged by ultrasound results. As a result, when the menstrual cycle was irregular or longer than 40 days, the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver was regarding 35% higher than that of the normal menstrual cycle. In addition, the research team conducted a follow-up survey for regarding 4 years among 50,000 people without nonalcoholic fatty liver.
As a result, regarding 9% of women developed nonalcoholic fatty liver, and it was found that the incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver was 22% higher when the menstrual cycle was longer than 40 days or the menstrual cycle was irregular. In particular, it was suggested that menstrual cycle had an independent effect on nonalcoholic fatty liver regardless of obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome. Kangbuk Samsung Hospital Family Medicine Professor Kang Jae-heon said, “It has been reported in several previous studies that irregular menstrual cycles increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, but this study was the first to find out that it also affects non-alcoholic fatty liver.” He revealed the significance of the study. Professor Jang Yu-soo of the Data Management Center at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital said, “It can be assumed that there is a hormonal effect on the correlation between the menstrual cycle and non-alcoholic fat, but the detailed cause requires additional follow-up studies.” “A relatively healthy young woman.” Also, if the menstrual cycle is long or irregular, the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver may increase, so a healthy lifestyle should be maintained through a good diet and regular exercise.”
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